“I like the water, remember?”
“Yes, you have gills and fins, I believe.”
She laughed as he lifted her from the boat and carried her through the rushing surf to relatively dry, packed sand. Once there, he put her on her feet and together they faced the boat and the view of the sea.
Open water everywhere.
Gorgeous blue sky, a turquoise sea, pale rocks standing sentry at the mouth of the cove, and nothing and no one else for miles until you reached the mainland.
“It’s perfect,” she said, nodding. “I love it. Is there any place to pitch a tent? Because this is most definitely off grid.”
“I thought of that, too. Let me show you what is here and we can see if you think it has potential.”
He took her hand and led her toward the back of the beach where it butted against the rocky cliff, and there at the back was a little path carved from the boulders, which actually tunneled back through the rocks.
Josephine felt like she was on a grand adventure as they walked up the path through the small tunnel. She reached out and touched the wall. It was surprisingly smooth. Her lips quirked, wondering at the feat of nature required to make such a tunnel out of what was most likely volcanic rock, and then they emerged into the light, and they’d come to a protected clearing. But it wasn’t a true clearing at all as right in the middle sat a small stone house virtually identical to the one she’d called home on Khronos. Josephine’s jaw dropped and she looked from the cottage to Alexander and back again.
Same stone. Same shape. Same placement of windows and doors.
She walked quickly to the house, and as she crossed the threshold she felt a jolt of recognition—rough-hewn beams across the ceiling, a big stone hearth dominating the center room, and two bedrooms, although as she inspected both, she discovered that the master bedroom was the one at the front, where Jo’s had been, and the one at the back had been divided into two, with a cradle and bunk beds, as if anticipating quite a brood.
“This is my house,” she said, doing a slow circle, trying to take it all in.
“I had it copied as closely as I could,” he said, arms folded across his chest, a faint smile curving his lips. “The contractor and builders wanted to add more amenities but I refused. I told them it was meant to be rustic and an escape from civilization as we know it.”
“You gave me my home back,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“With all the solar-efficient technology we could find,” he said, exiting the house and heading to the back where a pretty trellis concealed a tidy grid of solar panels, tubing, and equipment. “Solar power for heating and electricity. Solar-powered communication. Enough energy to run your own little lab of computers as well, if you should so desire. And last but not least, your own desalination system for as much fresh water as you, and your future garden, desire.”
She shook her head, incredibly touched and overwhelmed by the thought and effort that had gone into creating this world for her.
From the beach, this was a deserted island, and yet tucked behind the safety of the rocks was a little house ready for her to come play house. “You make me feel like Marie Antoinette with her little farm.”
“The Hameau de la Reine,” he said, blue eyes creasing as he smiled. “The thought crossed my mind, too, but it’s not quite so extravagant. We left out the farm, the mill, the Temple of Love, the belvedere, and the grotto.”
“Tell me you didn’t import all those stones for the house.”
“No. Thankfully the island has an abundance of stone, and we were able to use all local stone, cutting them here, which made it far easier physically, as well as more affordable.”
“And yet this is still extremely costly.”
“Can I not give my bride a wedding gift?”
“Will your people want my head?”
“My people are your people, and they will want you and our children happy.” He drew her into his arms, kissing her, oh, so slowly and tenderly, and when he raised his head, his blue eyes were bright and warm and filled with conviction and love. “You will have more children, cara. It will all work out. It might just take time—”
“I know,” she interrupted, standing on tiptoe to kiss him back. “And it will work out, always, as long as you and I are together and we stick together. Friends, lovers, partners.” She felt the secret rise in her, the joy overwhelming. “Parents.”
“Yes, we will be parents,” he agreed firmly, sounding like the man who’d served his country in the Royal Navy.
“In just six months,” she said, kissing him again. “And next week, we can find out the sex, if you want. Or we can both go and just look at the ultrasound and watch the baby’s lovely little heart.”
Alexander’s jaw worked and he blinked hard, clearing the sheen gathering there. “A baby.”
“Our baby.”
“You’ve seen the doctor?”
She nodded. “I have, and I’ve seen the ultrasound and everything looks good. There should be no problems. I just can’t go racing up and down steep stairs.”
He glanced toward the water. “Or riding in bumpy speedboats. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“The boat ride was fine. Trust me. And I was going to tell you this weekend. I had a special reveal planned, but this was actually so much better.”
“I’m calling for the helicopter to take us home.”
“Alexander.”
“I’m taking no chances.”
“Alexander!” she protested, laughing.
“I’m taking no chances at all. I love you, Josephine. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
* * *
If you enjoyed The Prince’s Scandalous Wedding Vow you’re sure to enjoy these other stories by Jane Porter!
Bought to Carry His Heir
Her Sinful Secret
His Merciless Marriage Bargain
Kidnapped for His Royal Duty
Available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Untouched Queen by Royal Command by Kelly Hunter.
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